Gospel hits featured at United concert

By Yvonne JohnsonFebruary 4, 2013

Gospel hits featured at United concert
Kierra "KiKi" Sheard and the FIYA singers perform hand-raising, toe-tapping renditions during the 2013 United as One Tour at the post theater Jan. 27. The tour featured gospel greats James Fortune, VaShawn Mitchell and Zacardi Cortez. The audience sw... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md - The 2013 United as One Tour brought an electric evening of musical high praise and worship to the Aberdeen Proving Ground Post Theater Jan. 27.

James Fortune, a twice Grammy-nominated Gospel singer-songwriter and his backup singing group, FIYA, led the lineup of performers that included VaShawn Mitchell, Zacardi Cortez and Kierra "Kiki" Sheard. Comedian Shuckey Duckey, dressed in military garb, hosted the event.

The performers treated the audience to some of their greatest hits.

Mitchell energized the audience with his former #1 Gospel Billboard single "Nobody Greater."

Mitchell is a six-time Stellar Award winner and Grammy nominated artist. He also received two GMA Dove Award nominations for the single "Nobody Greater" and the album "Triumphant" which received 11 Stellar Award nominations.

Cortez soothed and pleased with the hit, "I Believe." The song held the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart for 14 weeks. And Sheard, fired things up in the style of her mother, Karen, a member of the famous Clark Sisters, with songs from her latest CD, "Free."

Shuckey Duckey added humorous quips between acts, the show progressed smoothly. When he asked if folks were rooting for the Super Bowl-bound Baltimore Ravens he received a roar of approval from the audience. Audience members spent much of the time on their feet with arms uplifted or hands clapping while they sang or hummed along to nearly every song.

It was apparent that concert-goers enjoyed and appreciated the event.

"I feel revived," said Monique Ferrell, wife of APG senior leader Maj. Gen. Robert Ferrell. "It was all so beautiful and uplifting. It left me inspired to go out and make a difference."

Maryland Gold Star Mother Janice Chance who traveled from Owings Mills, Md., for the event agreed.

"It was refreshing to be here with so many people praising, on one accord," she said.

APG civilian Steve Lyons, pastor of the Bread of Life Church in Aberdeen called the concert, "an absolutely worshipful forum."

"These artists are God's gifts to the kingdom," he said.

Former HHC Garrison first sergeant and current PEO C3T civilian Lonzia Hawkins recalled past Wilbert Davis Gospel Night Concerts that were held at the theater and hosted by the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and Schools before it departed to Fort Lee, Va.

"I long for those days and hopefully they will soon return," he said.

He also thanked Earlene Allen, MWR special programs manager, and the MWR staff for "bringing this high time in the Lord to the APG community."

Kierra "KiKi" Sheard and the FIYA singers perform hand-raising, toe-tapping renditions during the 2013 United as One Tour at the post theater Jan. 27. The tour featured gospel greats James Fortune, VaShawn Mitchell and Zacardi Cortez. The audience sways to the sound of VaShawn Mitchell singing "Nobody Greater," Billboard's #1 Most Played Gospel Song of 2011.